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Eastern Township
borders on Hamilton and lies south of Northern. It took its name from the
name of a postoffice that was early established in that locality. Thomas
Thompson was perhaps the
earliest settler, location on Middle Fork, and was the father-in-law of Braxton
Parrish - the famous
pioneer of the early days of the county. Robert McLean settled were the village of Aiken is located, in
1818, also his son-in-law James Aiken, settled at the same time about two miles west of the village.
James Aiken, Sr.,
settled on Knob Hill
in Eastern Township
at an earlier date. The Summers,
and
Sullivans came
to Franklin County about
the time the Aiken
and McLeans
came. Rev. John Launis
and
Dillons have
lived in Eastern all
the years of the county's history.
The first school house established in the county was in what is now known as the Brush Prairie School District.
The first Methodist church established in the county was at Mt. Etna in 1822. Rev. John Launis,
Edward Sullivan and some of the Summers were the charter members of this church.
The following families had been prominent in the development of the township:
Shirleys, Smith, Moss, Johnson, Bailey, Miller, Jones,
Manion, Buntin, Crain, Otterson, Allen, Puckett, Chaplain,
Collins, Hatchett, Creemens, Conover, Melton, Waller, Frailey, Jackson, Duckworth, Rouintue, Varnier,
Harris, Milton, Randolph, Hays, William, Lee, Gaither, Brady and
others.
The village of Aiken
was started about 1875 when Aiken McLean had some of his land laid out into
lots and named the town Aiken.
The village had grown some, and at the present is quite a commercial
point. The town has a bank and several business firms. Chas.
Crisp is the leading merchant.
The township has the following schools: Bethel, Aiken, Manion, Brush Prairie, WIllow Branch, Knob
Prairie, Ridge, Center and Town of Aiken.
The churches are as follows: Baptist - Aiken; Latter Day Saints - Johnson Grove, Carter's Chapel.
Politically, Eastern Township
is Republican.
The present supervisor is Wm. H. Crawford.
The township has no railroad or coal mines. The coal has been sold, with the exception of the
south row of sections.
Knob Prairie
is near the center of the township. It took its name from the knob in the eastern
part of the prairie.
The most remarkable event in the history of the township was the enlistment of Co. F., 40th
Illinois Inf. his company was largely made up around Aiken and vicinity. Aiken McLean encouraged the
organization of the company. A dinner was given at his home Aug. 3, 1861, and the company left for
action the same day.
Dr. John McLean,
a noted physican of Chicago, is a son of Aiken McLean. Dr. McLean had a leg shot
off by a cannon ball at the battle of Shiloh. Captain
Shirley and Captain
Ing were from this locality.
[(1918) Franklin County History Centennial Edition by H.M. AIKEN]
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